Mindfulness is all the rage right now.
You know, focus only on this exact moment — get really tuned into it, and forget the past and future. Just now. Just for this moment.
I really don’t know much else, because I tried it a few times, and found that not only did it feel borderline impossible, but for me, it actually made things worse.
Well, if you’re like me, you’re not alone.
A new study of studies found that about 8% of people who try mindfulness and meditation actually experience worse anxiety and depression.
The British psychologist Katie Sparks, talking to New Scientist, explains it this way: “It’s like a backlash attempt to control the mind, and this results in an episode of anxiety or depression.”
Of course, 8% is only 8%.
And research has suggested a bunch of health benefits, so this is just a small By The Way about a practice that helps a ton of people.
But just remember — if mindfulness doesn’t just work for you, but also actually makes things worse, you’re not alone.
[Photo: Pexels]
